‘No, I promise!’ Joe begged them. ‘Hurry, or we’re all dead.’

The men exchanged a glance. ‘You go, I’ll hold this puppy still. Let it be the general’s decision.’

One of the men rushed off. The other twisted Joe’s arms behind his back. ‘Don’t get any ideas meanwhile. And tell your funny-looking dragon to behave.’

‘Ren, please! Be still.’ Joe kept his eyes on her, praying she’d stay calm. He stopped struggling, trying not to burst with frustration. The sweaty stink of the soldiers filled his nostrils, and his feet slipped a little on the black mosaic, slick with mud.

Finally, the first man returned. From the way the ranks of men parted respectfully, Joe knew he was followed by Tarya’s second-in-command, Rosa Demarco. He heard her raised voice before he saw her.

She did a quick double-glance when she saw him, recov­ering in an instant. ‘You’re alive: I see the rumours were true. Explain yourself, Joe Thornsen,’ she called as she 280strode towards them. ‘Make it fast! I am doing my best to rescue your sister.’

Rosa was tall, with a narrow cat-like face and high cheekbones. Her black hair was plaited in the dragonrider style, her uniform all crumpled and stained from her days in captivity, her boots were smeared with blood and soil.

‘We’re all in danger!’ Joe shouted. ‘Mount Bara will erupt – look over at the mainland if you don’t believe me. Milla and Thom just flew in to warn us of the wave that will follow. There are tunnels we can shelter in, but we need to evacuate the city, now.’

The man holding Joe’s arms scoffed, ‘Nonsense!’

Rosa silenced him with one gesture. ‘Release him. You, go check – confirm his story.’

The man ran off towards the barracks.

Joe fell forwards, rubbing his arms, and Ren ran to him, growling like a terrier.

‘So,’ Rosa said with a quick grin, ‘is it you I should thank for our release back there?’ She hauled him to his feet. ‘And for rescuing Ando – some kids, that’s what I heard.’

‘Yes, we used the tunnels then too—’

She cut him off. ‘But now you want us to abandon our fight, is that what you’re saying? Go hide underground, like rats? So they can kill us down there?’

‘Or you can die up here, when the wave hits. It’s up to you,’ Joe snapped back. ‘But your city needs you. Will your soldiers listen?’ He explained everything Milla and Thom had said, how they needed to lead the city folk into the tunnels, and fast, and how they were built for this. 281

‘What about the Brotherhood?’ she said. ‘I don’t think they’re the listening kind.’

‘Leave them to me,’ Joe said, ‘and Heral and Petra.’ The green and red dragons were still perched on the top of the palace, waiting for the chance to free their people.

‘Oh, so you’re staying up here?’ Rosa sounded suspicious. ‘Why should I listen to you if you’re not willing to try these tunnels too?’